Most of the anti-cancer drugs in use today were discovered by happy accident rather than design, yet the rational design of better anti-cancer drugs remains a cherished goal, and one of the most important challenges facing medical science.

DNA topoisomerases are present in all living organisms and are essential to maintaining the helical structure of DNA. They are highly relevant for cancer because a number of anti-cancer drugs selectively target two of the human enzymes, DNA topoisomerases I and II. Those drugs convert topoisomerases into cellular poisons by trapping the enzymes as they cleave DNA.

The issues associated with drug use and abuse in contemporary society are vexing subjects, fraught with political agendas and ideals that often obscure essential information that teens need to know to have intelligent discussions about how to best deal with the problems associated with drug use and abuse.